Old Fashioned Christmas Cookie Recipes – Just Like Grandma Used to Make

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Hey there, cookie lovers! Let’s talk about those old-fashioned Christmas cookies recipes that remind us of grandma’s kitchen and make our houses smell like heaven. I’m going to share some classic recipes that have been making families happy for generations.

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The Classic Sugar Cookie

Everyone loves a good sugar cookie! These are probably the most fun to make because you get to use cookie cutters and decorate them.

What you’ll need:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 1½ cups white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

How to make them:

  1. Mix the soft butter and sugar until it’s fluffy (about 3 minutes)
  2. Add eggs and vanilla
  3. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt
  4. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour
  5. Roll out and cut into fun shapes
  6. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes

Grandma’s Gingerbread Cookies

These spicy, warm cookies make your whole house smell like Christmas!

What you’ll need:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1½ teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¾ cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

How to make them:

  1. Mix all the dry ingredients
  2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy
  3. Add egg and molasses
  4. Mix everything together
  5. Chill for 2 hours
  6. Roll out and cut into gingerbread people
  7. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes

Snickerdoodles: The Cinnamon Favorite

These cookies are super easy to make and always a hit!

What you’ll need:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2¾ cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon (for rolling)
  • ¼ cup sugar (for rolling)

How to make them:

  1. Cream butter and sugar
  2. Add eggs one at a time
  3. Mix in dry ingredients
  4. Roll into balls
  5. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture
  6. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes

Buttery Shortbread Cookies

These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are super simple but incredibly delicious.

What you’ll need:

  • 2 cups butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 cups flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to make them:

  1. Beat butter until creamy
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla
  3. Mix in flour and salt
  4. Press into a baking pan
  5. Prick with fork
  6. Bake at 325°F for 30-35 minutes
  7. Cut while warm

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

These pretty cookies look fancy but are easy to make!

What you’ll need:

  • 1½ cups butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 cups flour
  • Your favorite jam

Steps:

  1. Mix butter and sugar until fluffy
  2. Add egg yolks and vanilla
  3. Mix in flour
  4. Roll into balls
  5. Make thumbprint in center
  6. Fill with jam
  7. Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes

German Pfeffernüsse (Pepper Nuts)

These spicy little cookies are full of wonderful Christmas flavors!

What you’ll need:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • ⅓ cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • Powdered sugar for coating

Steps:

  1. Mix spices and flour
  2. Cream butter and sugar
  3. Add molasses and egg
  4. Mix in dry ingredients
  5. Roll into small balls
  6. Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes
  7. Roll in powdered sugar while warm

Italian Rainbow Cookies

These colorful cookies take time but are worth it!

What you’ll need:

  • 4 eggs, separated
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 8 oz almond paste
  • 2½ sticks butter
  • 2 cups flour
  • Food coloring (red and green)
  • Chocolate for melting
  • Raspberry jam

Steps:

  1. Mix almond paste, butter, egg yolks, and sugar
  2. Add flour
  3. Beat egg whites until stiff
  4. Fold whites into batter
  5. Divide into three parts
  6. Color one red, one green, leave one plain
  7. Bake layers separately
  8. Stack with jam between
  9. Cover with chocolate

Peanut Butter Blossoms

A classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate!

What you’ll need:

  • 1¾ cups flour
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Chocolate kisses

Steps:

  1. Mix peanut butter, sugar, egg
  2. Add other ingredients
  3. Roll into balls
  4. Roll in sugar
  5. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes
  6. Press chocolate kiss in center while hot

Russian Tea Cakes

Also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Snowballs!

What you’ll need:

  • 1 cup butter
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2¼ cups flour
  • ¾ cup finely chopped nuts
  • Extra powdered sugar for rolling

Steps:

  1. Cream butter and sugar
  2. Add vanilla
  3. Mix in flour and nuts
  4. Roll into balls
  5. Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes
  6. Roll in powdered sugar twice while warm

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These look like they’re covered in snow!

What you’ll need:

  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Powdered sugar for coating

Steps:

  1. Mix cocoa, sugar, and oil
  2. Add eggs one at a time
  3. Add vanilla
  4. Mix in dry ingredients
  5. Chill dough
  6. Roll into balls
  7. Coat in powdered sugar
  8. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes

Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookies

  1. Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough Putting your dough in the fridge helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.
  2. Use Room Temperature Ingredients Especially eggs and butter – they mix better this way!
  3. Measure Carefully Baking is like science – exact measurements matter!
  4. Watch the Time Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your first batch to get the timing right.

Decorating Ideas

  • Use different colored frostings
  • Try sprinkles and colored sugar
  • Add candy pieces
  • Make faces with icing
  • Use food coloring to make the dough different colors

Storage Tips

Keep your cookies fresh by:

  • Storing them in airtight containers
  • Putting wax paper between layers
  • Keeping different types of cookies separate
  • Freezing extra dough for later

Remember, the best part about making Christmas cookies isn’t just eating them – it’s sharing them with friends and family! These recipes are perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen too. They can help measure ingredients, cut out shapes, and definitely help with decorating!

Making Christmas cookies is a wonderful way to create memories and start your own family traditions. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect – they’ll still taste amazing, and everyone will love them because they’re made with care.